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September 12 was the last day for each house to pass bills. All bills that have passed both houses are now with the Governor, and the Governor has until October 12 to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature. Below are the tobacco-related bills that have passed to the Governor for consideration this year. If you would like legislative updates sent directly to your inbox, create an account at California Legislative Information and track the bills that you are interested in following.
AB 455: Real Estate: environmental hazards: thirdhand smoke (Ortega—D, Alameda)
AB 455 would require the seller of a single-family residential property who has knowledge of the existence of any residue from smoking or vaping tobacco or nicotine products, or any history of occupants smoking or vaping tobacco or nicotine products on the property, to disclose that knowledge to the buyer in writing. It would also require the Center for Tobacco and the Environment to update an educational booklet given to buyers with a chapter on thirdhand smoke as a common environmental hazard and reviewed by the Department of Toxic Substance Control.
Status: Passed the Senate Floor (39-0) and Senate amendments were concurred (meaning accepted) by the Assembly on September 4. The bill was sent to engrossing and enrolling before it moves to the Governor for a signature or veto.
AB 573: Cigarette and tobacco products: licensing and enforcement (Rogers—D, North Coast)
AB 573 would require any tobacco retailer who files an application for a tobacco retail license on or after July 1, 2026 to pay a fee of $450 per retail location to CDTFA. The bill would also increase the fee for the renewal of a retailer license from $265 to $450 for renewal applications filed on or after July 1, 2026. The bill authorizes CDTFA to adjust application and renewal fees for applications submitted after July 1, 2026 to an amount not exceeding $600 per retail location. It would also require the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CDTFA and OYTE to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the tobacco retailer enforcement landscape, including enforcement of California’s flavor, youth access, taxation, and licensing laws. Finally, it would remove duplicative existing language from code (SB 1230) allowing CDTFA to seize illegal tobacco products from retailers and wholesalers.
Status: Senate amendments were concurred (meaning accepted) by the Assembly on September 10. The bill was sent to engrossing and enrolling before it moves to the Governor for a signature or veto.
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